A little surprised, he entered the elevator. At that moment a ring sounded, and on the indicator the figure 4 dropped.
"That's her floor now," said the boy, starting up the elevator.
At the fourth he came face to face with Garraboy, who saw him with a start of surprise and a sudden look of malice. The two nodded, without cordiality.
"Hello," said Garraboy, looking at him with a curious fixity which he remembered after. "What are you doing here?"
"What are you?" said Beecher abruptly.
"Some valuable information to volunteer?" persisted the other, with a deliberate accent of irony.
"Perhaps."
"Indeed? Then you have come to assist in restoring the ring," said Garraboy in a low voice; and on his young, wrinkled face was a faint glimmer of a smile.
"Perhaps," said Beecher, flushing angrily. "Does that annoy you?"
"Not in the least," said Garraboy drily. "On the contrary, I am interested—exceedingly so." He lifted his hat slightly and stepped into the elevator.